Southern California -- this just in

Despite jail sentence, 'bling ring' reality show appears to be going on

May 11, 2010 | 6:45
am

Despite having one of its stars plead no contest to a felony and be sentenced to jail, there are indications that the reality TV show starring a member of the "bling ring" will go on.

Alexis Neiers agreed Monday to plead no contest to felony residential burglary and was sentenced to six months in jail. E! Entertainment has not said whether "Pretty Wild," its show about Neiers and her two sisters growing up in the fast lane in suburban Los Angeles, will continue.

But E! cameras were rolling in court Monday.

Neiers and her sister hauled a large bag of makeup and accessories to the courthouse on Monday. A pair of tweezers set off the courthouse metal detector. Neiers' mother even checked her makeup in the hall before entering the courtroom.

Outside the courthouse, the E! crew shot images of Neiers and her attorneys and even a discussion with the prosecutor.

Under a deal with prosecutors, Neiers will be placed on three years' probation in addition to six months in county jail. She also will receive a two-year suspended sentence and must pay restitution to "Pirates of the Caribbean" star Orlando Bloom, whose home was burglarized by Neiers and several others, authorities said.

Neiers -- dressed in a black blazer, designer jeans and white shoes -- stood with a sullen expression as Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza asked if she understood that if she violates the law during her probation, she faces two years in prison. As her sister sobbed in the audience, Neiers was ordered to surrender June 24 and stay 100 yards away from Bloom's Hollywood Hills home.

Bloom was among a dozen high-profile celebrities — including Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Audrina Patridge and Rachel Bilson — targeted in 2008 and 2009 by the ring, made up of mostly young women who stole more than $3 million in valuables.

If Neiers had been convicted at trial, she could have received a six-year prison sentence. "We decided it was in Alexis' best interests to take responsibility for her small part in this incident," said her attorney, Jeffery K. Rubenstein.

"Pretty Wild" is now on hiatus -- and the E! website does not say when new episodes would air.

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Alexis Neiers, right, and attorney Susan Morris Haber attend a hearing at which Neiers was sentenced to six months in jail and three years' probation for her role in the "bling ring" celebrity burglary case. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times